E3 for Pistols

Anyone using Alliant E3 for pistol specifically .45 Lead/FMJ and .38 Special Lead/FMJ. I've cruised the internet looking ofr data but its mostly for .40. I've also sent an email to Alliant and I'll follow up here with what they have to say. According to most "opinion" it loads like Red Dot but reduce the charge 10% becasue its a little faster. Thats also my experience with it in Shotgun 12 gauge wher eit works realy good and clean.

Thanx!

If you enjoyed reading about "E3 for Pistols" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!

rcmodel

August 19, 2010, 12:29 PM

Alliant has no handgun data for E3 shotgun powder.

If it was a good idea, they probably would.

rc

ljnowell

August 19, 2010, 12:55 PM

If it was a good idea, they probably would.

I cant argue with that logic RC. Seems like if the powder had more uses the powder company would exploit them.

frankge

August 19, 2010, 02:06 PM

understand where you are coming from, but I think if it had the history of Red Dot or Unique there would be more loads for it. 100 years of time for load development.

rcmodel

August 19, 2010, 02:33 PM

I understand that.
Somebody has to be a Guinea pig.

But without factory pressure testing, there is no way for us to know what is going on with a new powder when used in another application it wasn't designed for.

Often factory testing finds pressure spikes with small load changes in handguns that don't occur in the larger bore volume of a shotgun.

If they find something like that during pressure testing, you will get no published handgun data from them.

rc

frankge

August 20, 2010, 10:45 AM

I'm emailing Ben at Alliant back and forth right now on this subject. I'll post when he gives me the scoop. I'm not looking to do anything unsafe, but developing new loads is something we like to do as reloaders. Got your point with the pressure spikes but unconfirmed data points to this not happening with e3 from people with testing equipment at least in the .40

As you kow shotshell data is very specific about component combiations. I worked with him to get a new load which used 1oz shot, Rem hull, Nobel Sport primer, DR XL-1 wad, and 15.5-17.5g of e3. I've shot over 500 of these now and they work great.

ljnowell

August 20, 2010, 12:42 PM

I'm emailing Ben at Alliant back and forth right now on this subject. I'll post when he gives me the scoop. I'm not looking to do anything unsafe, but developing new loads is something we like to do as reloaders. Got your point with the pressure spikes but unconfirmed data points to this not happening with e3 from people with testing equipment at least in the .40

As you kow shotshell data is very specific about component combiations. I worked with him to get a new load which used 1oz shot, Rem hull, Nobel Sport primer, DR XL-1 wad, and 15.5-17.5g of e3. I've shot over 500 of these now and they work great.

I'm a big fan of Alliant powders, so I cant wait to hear something. Be sure to report back to us on this!

bluetopper

August 21, 2010, 09:14 AM

Ben has emailed me in the past about e3 and has said it's burn rate is very close to Red Dot but is slightly more energetic due to a higher percentage of nitroglycerin.

He said he has heard of a lot of people shooting e3 in 45 acp but they have never tested any in handgun applications yet?????????:confused:

transtech

August 21, 2010, 01:44 PM

RC: Have you tried Alliant American Select? That's another Alliant shotshell powder that there is a lot of handgun load testing for, specifically in light target loads & Cowboy Action in 38 & 357 & frankly, from my own experience with it I just can't see how another powder could possibly be any cleaner in light loads. Maybe e3 would be just as clean, but there is a lot of data for Am. Select already, but I like to experiment too & that's what led me to Am. Select in the first place.

frankge

August 21, 2010, 03:32 PM

I'm getting e3 for 50.00 per 4#s locally so I shoot alot of it in my OU at the gun club. I have Unique a.ka. Flaming Dirt but want to branch out. I considered Am. Select but as long at e3 is a bargin thats what I throw at clays.

evan price

August 23, 2010, 01:11 AM

Alliant Promo- load it with Red Dot data by weight. Right now it's about $80 for an 8# keg (the only way it is sold). The cheapest powder out there that's not surplus I can find in a store.

frankge

August 23, 2010, 08:15 AM

but promo is dirty like old red dot, still a good powder, some dont like to clean, some do, I'm one who rather clean less even though I shoot an OU

TonyT

August 23, 2010, 10:06 AM

Some bullseye pistol shooters have experimented with E3 in 45 ACP loads with the 185 gr. LSWC bullet. As I remeber E3 is a bit faster than Clays and they adjusted the charges accordingly to ca. 3.4 or 3.5 gr. with the 185 gr. LSWC. Unfortunately no pressure tested data is available. I wish Alliant would provide pressure tested data so that I could use E3 for both 12 ga. and 45 ACP loads.

frankge

August 24, 2010, 02:53 PM

e3 Thread...

"Hi,

The bullet is a Lee 230 Truncated Flat Point Tumble Lube mold from wheel weight that I am currently using Unique. The FMJs are 230g Roze or Precision Delta. The 38 Specials are 158g Berrys but I will be buying a Lee Semi Wad Cutter 158g for Lead with the same wheel weights. I use2400 for my .357 maggie with the same bullets and love the load. I won't be using E3 for that though. My current press is a Lee Turret Press and I also have the perfect powder measure and I usually confirm with a digital scale.

I'm really happy with E3 in my shotguns and have just bought another 8lbs of it from my gun club. I was about to buy more unique or Bullseye for the lead loads but I'd like to see how E3 would work.

I reload with e3 for shotgun. I know it is close to red dot in performance. Can I use it for .45 ACP Lead target loads. Using the Lee TRN TL bullet. Would it also be good for FMJs. To that matter .38 spl.

Thanx"

bluetopper

August 24, 2010, 10:52 PM

I wouldn't be afraid to load E3 to Bullseye data at all. Especially in 45acp and 38.
A chrono would indeed help you to know what's going on too.

frankge

August 25, 2010, 10:54 AM

I suggest staying with Unique or Bullseye since there are plenty of recipes available for them. At some point, we may do some more testing with e3.

Thanks for your return note.

Ben Amonette
Consumer Service Manager
Alliant Powder Company

If you enjoyed reading about "E3 for Pistols" here in TheHighRoad.org archive, you'll LOVE our community. Come join TheHighRoad.org today for the full version!